IRIN HIV/AIDS Weekly - 152
Africa
24 October 2003


NEWS:

SOUTH AFRICA: Is the HIV/AIDS epidemic beginning to level off?
SUDAN: Interview with Mary Biba, SPLA/M secretary for Yambio County
SUDAN: Stephen's story
SUDAN: HIV/AIDS not as easy as ABC
MOZAMBIQUE: Food and work for those living with HIV
MALI: Tuberculosis makes a comeback as patients fail to seek treatment
SOUTH AFRICA: HIV-positive people not banned from army
BOTSWANA: All public health facilities to offer HIV testing
CONGO: UN to provide ARVs for 1,000 HIV-positive people

LINKS

1. AidsMed.com
2. Red Hot + Africa

CONFERENCES/EVENTS/RESEARCH/RESOURCES

1. Care and Treatment in poor countries
2. Medical Research Council (MRC) Research Trainee Programme for young
black scientists
3. Voices for Equality and Dignity
4. Textbook of AIDS Pathology

VACANCIES

1. HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria Cluster Communications Adviser - Geneva,
Switzerland
2. Technical Advisor - Kigali, Rwanda
3. Scientist (HIV Testing and Counselling) - Geneva, Switzerland


NEWS

SOUTH AFRICA: Is the HIV/AIDS epidemic beginning to level off?

AIDS experts have raised doubts about a new study suggesting South
Africa's HIV/AIDS epidemic peaked in 2002 and was expected to level off as
fewer new infections were reported.

The study, published in the recent issue of the African Journal of AIDS
Research, said the epidemic in South Africa peaked last year with about
4.69 million people living with HIV/AIDS and had started to level off. It
also noted that HIV incidence rates in the 15 to 49 age group had
decreased "substantially" from 4.2 percent in 1997 to 1.7 percent in 2003.

These projections were based on a new statistical model developed by Dr
Olive Shisana, executive director of HIV/AIDS research at the Human
Sciences Research Council (HSRC), and Thomas Rehle, an independent
consultant in international health and disease control.

The study used data from the Department of Health's national antenatal HIV
prevalence survey and the 2002 Nelson Mandela/HSRC Study of HIV/AIDS, Dr
Thomas Rehle told PlusNews.

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/AIDSReport.ASP?ReportID=2651&SelectRegion=Southern_Africa&SelectCountry=SOUTH_AFRICA

SUDAN: Interview with Mary Biba, SPLA/M secretary for Yambio County

Mary Biba is the only female to have been appointed as a county secretary
by the Sudan People's Liberation Army/Movement (SPLA/M). She has been
instrumental in creating the Girls' Education Task Force to increase
literacy among girls in Yambio County and has been at the forefront of
efforts to prevent children from being recruited into the rebel army.

As a member of the New Sudan National AIDS Council, Biba is now
spearheading her liberation movement's campaign against the disease in
Yambio.

In an interview with PlusNews, Mary Biba spoke frankly about the
difficulties of addressing behaviour change and the community's response
to the disease, and outlined the way forward in curbing the spread of
HIV/AIDS in the region.

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/AIDSReport.ASP?ReportID=2650&SelectRegion=Southern_Africa&SelectCountry=SUDAN

SUDAN: Stephen's story

On a recent Sunday, after the sermon in the Episcopal Church of Sudan
(ECS) in Yambio County in the Western Equatorial region of southern Sudan,
a letter was read. One of the church priests, Pastor Henri Wandu, was
seriously ill and asked his congregation to pray for him and his wife.

When the letter revealed the cause of his illness, a ripple of shock ran
through the church-goers. Pastor Wandu and his wife were HIV-positive.

According to Mary Biba, Yambio County secretary for the Sudan People's
Liberation Movement (SPLM), Wandu is the second person to disclose his HIV
status - but as a prominent figure in the community, he is the first to do
so in such a public manner.

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/AIDSReport.ASP?ReportID=2649&SelectRegion=Southern_Africa&SelectCountry=SUDAN

SUDAN: HIV/AIDS not as easy as ABC

About 10 young adults gathered in a tiny room at the Equatorial United
Youth Development Association (EUYDA) offices in Yambio, the major town in
the Western Equatorial region of southern Sudan.

An interview with PlusNews had generated excitement among the group, and
in an adjoining room a small choir was waiting to perform after the
meeting.

EUYDA is a youth group at the forefront of the struggle against HIV/AIDS
in Yambio County. It initiates awareness campaigns, runs a youth sports
centre and coordinates activities among young people in the area.

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/AIDSReport.ASP?ReportID=2648&SelectRegion=Southern_Africa&SelectCountry=SUDAN

SOUTH AFRICA: HIV-positive people not banned from army

The South African cabinet has distanced itself from recent HIV/AIDS
remarks by Mosiuoa Lekota, the country's Minister of Defence, a local
newspaper, The Star, reported on Thursday.

Lekota caused an uproar two weeks ago when he said: "Anybody with the
condition [HIV/AIDS] cannot be recruited [into the defence force]."

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/AIDSReport.ASP?ReportID=2656&SelectRegion=Southern_Africa&SelectCountry=SOUTH_AFRICA

MOZAMBIQUE: Food and work for those living with HIV

The first six years of Elsa's life have not looked promising. "She was
born sick," said the girl's aunt, Elena Ze.

Elsa's head seemed heavy for her small, frail frame. She had difficulty
breathing and her body, including her face, were covered in rashes and
sores.

Elsa has AIDS-related illnesses, including stomach problems and persistent
headaches. Her mother died of AIDS last May after many years of being
sick. Now Elsa and her two older siblings live with her aunt, a single
parent, in a small cramped almost bare one-roomed cane home. Her aunt has
four other young children of her own to take care of single-handedly. But
the aunt, putting her arm around Elsa, did not complain. "I treat all the
children the same, and they all play well together."

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/AIDSreport.asp?ReportID=2654&SelectRegion=Southern_Africa&SelectCountry=MOZAMBIQUE

MALI: Tuberculosis makes a comeback as patients fail to seek treatment

Tuberculosis is making a comeback in Mali, partly as a result of HIV/AIDS
patients falling prey to the disease, but also because the respiratory
disease is considered shameful and patients are reluctant to seek
treatment, government officials said.

Diallo Alima Nacko, coordinator of the National Campaign Against
Tuberculosis, told PlusNews that the number of reported cases had
increased 46 percent over the past seven years from 1,886 in 1995 to 2,757
in 2002.

"Above all, tuberculosis is a social disease," added N'Diaye Fatoumata
Coulibaly, the Minister for Rural Development.

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/AIDSreport.asp?ReportID=2653&SelectRegion=West_Africa&SelectCountry=MALI

BOTSWANA: All public health facilities to offer HIV testing

In a bid to encourage people to begin anti-AIDS treatment early, Botswana
will introduce routine HIV testing at all public health facilities next
year, President Festus Mogae said on Friday.

"It is expected that all patients presenting with symptoms associated with
HIV/AIDS will be routinely offered an HIV test, with the opportunity to
opt out should they so desire. The same will take place at antenatal
clinics, and clinics where sexually transmitted infections are treated,"
Mogae said.

"Let me hasten to emphasise that testing will not be compulsory, but
routine with consent. Further, respect to privacy and confidentiality will
continue to be maintained," he added.

Out of a population of 1.7 million, an estimated 300,000 Batswana are
infected with HIV, of whom 110,000 are believed to be at the stage where
they are in need of antiretroviral therapy.

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/AIDSreport.asp?ReportID=2638&SelectRegion=Southern_Africa&SelectCountry=BOTSWANA

CONGO: UN to provide ARVs for 1,000 HIV-positive people

The UN system in the Republic of Congo is to provide 1,000 HIV-positive
people with antiretroviral treatment, the UN country coordinator Aurelien
Agbenonci said in the capital, Brazzaville.

"Given the high cost of treatment, it is only by means of a strengthened
national and international solidarity that we can mobilise the necessary
resources to facilitate effective ARV treatment programmes," he said.
"This is the reason for the action taken by the UN system, to reinforce
national initiatives with a view to enabling a greater number of people
living with HIV to have access to ARVs."

The programme is designed to give particular attention to, and include
people from, the poorest segment of the population.

The announcement was made on Wednesday in connection with the UN's launch
of a week-long campaign to inform the country of the Millennium
Development Goals. [www.un.org].

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/AIDSreport.asp?ReportID=2633&SelectRegion=Great_Lakes&SelectCountry=CONGO


LINKS

1. AidsMed.com
Owned and operated by people living with HIV/AIDS, the site is dedicated
to providing other HIV-positive people with the information they need to
make empowered treatment decisions. It also provides a complete HIV/AIDS
drugs database.

For more information: http://aidsmeds.com/

2. Red Hot + Africa
Red Hot + Africa is an online documentary that shares stories illustrating
the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa through a collage of imagery, music and
text, as experienced by the people who live there.

For more information: http://www.redhotafrica.com/


CONFERENCES/EVENTS/RESEARCH

1. Care and Treatment in poor countries
"The Italian Society of Infectious and Tropical Diseases (SIMIT) will be
holding a meeting on Securing Treatment and Care for People Living with
HIV/AIDS in Low-income Countries: Where are we now?"

The meeting will be held in Florence, from 21 to 24 January 2004, and will
bring together key international stakeholders to discuss the strategies
and problems of prevention; viable strategies for the prevention and
treatment of opportunistic infections; the control of co-infections; and
the state and prospects of research into antiretroviral vaccines.

For more information:
Secretariat
Promo Leader Service
Convitto della Calza, 1750121 Firenze, ITALY
Tel: +39 55 2462248
Fax: +39 55 2342929
Email: congressi@promoleader.com
Website: www.promoleader.com

2. Medical Research Council (MRC) Research Trainee Programme for young
black scientists

The MRC research trainee programme places black postgraduates in its units
and groups. Black candidates with a four-year degree or equivalent, or a
Master's degree, can apply for a research training internship position
with an MRC research unit or group. Research trainees who register for a
masters or doctoral degree can renew their appointment for a second and
third year, subject to their satisfactory performance.

For more information:
http://www.mrc.co.za/funding/fundopportunities.htm#research


3. Voices for Equality and Dignity
This is a qualitative research report that documents the stigma and
discrimination faced by people living with HIV/AIDS in Malawi. The report
is based on data collected through focus group discussions with
HIV-positive people in Malawi.

It is part of a broader national HIV/AIDS advocacy project being executed
by the Malawi Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (MANET+), in
fulfilment of the objective of advocating for the integration of stigma
and discrimination-related issues into the national HIV/AIDS policy.

For more information: http://www.policyproject.com/abstract.cfm?ID=1535

4. Textbook of AIDS Pathology
The latest version, published in May 2003, is available. The textbook
includes a general discussion of the pathophysiology of HIV infection, the
organ system pathology of AIDS, and descriptions of the opportunistic
infections and neoplasms associated with AIDS, with a general discussion
of issues, including safety and education, related to the AIDS epidemic.

For more information:
http://www-medlib.med.utah.edu/WebPath/TUTORIAL/AIDS/AIDS.html


VACANCIES

1. HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB) and Malaria Cluster Communications
Adviser - Geneva, Switzerland

The World Health Organisation (WHO) invites applications from qualified
candidates to perform key initiatives in the HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria
(HTM) cluster which includes, among others, achieving the "3 by 5"
initiative - to provide ARVs to three million people by the end of 2005,
advancing the goals of roll back malaria and stop TB.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Working with the existing departmental communications teams, the
communications adviser would be responsible for:
- Coordinating communications work across the departments in HTM and
developing an HTM communications strategy
- Ensuring that cross-cutting issues are highlighted (i.e. health systems
strengthening)
- The incumbent will serve as spokesperson for the director-general and be
a key liaison between the director-general and organisations working in
these three areas (e.g. the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and
Malaria)
- The officer will report directly to the director-general HTM, and will
work in close collaboration with the Communications, Media and External
Relations Unit of the cluster

REQUIREMENTS:

Several years of international experience in media relations, external
relations and partnerships, and as spokesperson.
A background in journalism is also preferable. Candidates should be well
versed in HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria and overall issues concerning public
health, with an excellent knowledge of English or French and a good
working knowledge of the other language. Other languages will be an asset.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Graduate degree in international relations, media and communications,
journalism or another relevant field.

Deadline for applications is 28 October 2003

Interested applicants:
http://erecruit.who.int/e-jobs/public/hrd-cl-vac-view.cfm?jobinfo_uid_c=850&vaclng=en

2. Technical Advisor - Kigali, Rwanda

The Support to the International Partnership Against AIDS in Africa
(SIPAA) invites applications from qualified candidates to occupy the
vacant position of Technical Advisor - SIPAA Project in Rwanda's capital,
Kigali.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under supervision of ActionAid Rwanda and the Commission de Lutte Contre
le SIDA, the Technical Advisor (TA) Rwanda will provide overall
representation of SIPAA in the country and be responsible for programme
management and financial leadership to a national team. The successful
candidate will also be expected to develop, execute, and monitor
strategies and activities aimed at reducing and curtailing the spread and
impact of HIV/AIDS in Rwanda.

REQUIREMENTS:

A minimum of 3 years' experience in senior level management, a deep
understanding of HIV/AIDS related issues, excellent leadership and
management skills, analytic and strategic skills. Additionally, experience
in promoting and supporting networks, monitoring and impact assessment
will be an asset.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

- University degree in social and behavioural sciences or equivalent
- Postgraduate knowledge in development studies will be an added advantage
- Fluency in both French and English is a must

Written applications, supported by a CV, should be forwarded to the
following address:
martine.bagambi@undp.org
Telephone: 00 250 510 623

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted for copies
of certificates and dates of interviews later in the month of November
2003.
Closing date: 31/10/03
Role required: 01/12/03 at the earliest.

3. Scientist (HIV Testing and Counselling) - Geneva, Switzerland

The World Health Organization's Department of HIV/AIDS is the main
instrument in the United Nations family for strengthening the health
sector response to HIV/AIDS, with particular emphasis on prevention and
care policy and programme development, and capacity building in
resource-poor countries. WHO leads the health sector response to HIV/AIDS
by providing global strategy and advocacy, improving knowledge of the
epidemic and health sector responses, developing normative tools and
guidance on key health sector interventions, and providing technical
assistance to countries.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Make major contributions to the development of documentation for
improving access to testing and counselling (T&C) in clinical and ANC
settings, including case studies, toolkits, review and redrafting of
guidance for regions, countries, and companion UN agencies and key
partners
- To provide technical inputs as required to development and
implementation of the "3 by 5" strategy for increasing access to ARVs for
persons living with HIV/AIDS in resource-poor countries
- To facilitate the development of key activities linked to the global
working group on testing and counselling, including:
Coordination and networking
Development and finalisation of indicators
Mapping of T&C services and implementation requirements in key countries
- To support the planning and implementation of T&C learning sites with
technical support for design, training, implementation and monitoring and
evaluation
- To provide technical support on T&C to regional offices and countries as
indicated
- To provide technical support to other Department staff, particularly in
relation to implementing normative guidance on T&C to emerging initiatives
linked to, e.g., scaling up ARV access, gender, stigma and discrimination,
and psychosocial care and support following HIV testing
- To develop and maintain a database of HIV testing and counselling
experts
- To undertake other tasks as requested by the Director, PRV

REQUIREMENTS:

At least 10 years of postgraduate work experience, of which at least 5
years in testing and counselling at a practical and/or administrative
level, particularly in implementation, policy formulation, training and
research. Experience with the UN system in health policy development and
planning of testing and counselling services, evaluation and advocacy
would be a distinct advantage.
A proven track-record of collaboration with a wide range of partners in
testing and counselling-related work.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Medical degree with postgraduate qualifications in public health or
related discipline, preferably to doctoral level.
Excellent knowledge of English, including very good writing skills (please
attach list of publications). Working knowledge of French language
desirable.

Deadline for applications is 29 October 2003

Interested applicants:
http://erecruit.who.int/e-jobs/public/hrd-cl-vac-view.cfm?jobinfo_uid_c=845&vaclng=en


IRIN-SA
Tel: +27 11 880-4633
Fax: +27 11 447-5472
Email: IRIN-SA@irin.org.za

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Copyright (c) UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs 2003


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